Chanel Spring Summer 2026
Chanel has slowly become a bit same-same; and as a stylist (is that even what I am these days?) I have become bored of sharing the brands ready-to-wear, because whether it is from this Season or perhaps five Seasons ago- who would know, really? In all honestly, I have stopped even looking at styling Chanel pieces, because prices are sky rocketing (pun intended) and items are.. well.. getting just a tiny bit boring.
Queue Spring Summer 2026 -
After months and months of anticipation and build up, Matthieu Blazy’s debut collection is nothing short of epic, and finally, I feel excited about Chanel again!
The iconic fashion house has been given a full on brand rejuvenation, and Blazy is just the fourth official creative director in the history of the 115 year old brand.
Reminiscent of some of Karl’s most spectacular show sets, the Grand Palais’ glass building was transformed into the universe of Chanel - fitting for the astrology loving moi. Chanel has once again entered the chatroom!
Let’s start with the chopped off classic Chanel jacket idea, which was inspired by founder Gabrielle Chanel’s love of borrowing clothes from her boyfriend Arthur Capel - otherwise known as ‘Boy’. Finally a jacket that doesn’t only work if you’re either a size 0 rockstar or Kate Middleton- something that can be thrown over clothes on an actual woman’s body in real life, and looks cool, put together and timeless.
Both Coco and Boy were clients of Charvet, so Blazy tapped into the French heritage shirtmaker to help him create some of the most wearable pieces from the Spring Summer 2026 collection, these include the oversized white tuxedo shirt in look one (so cool), and the striped men’s shirt- both are such fabulous wardrobe staples, and I am so thrilled to see a luxury fashion house do just that again - luxury.
The sexy and seductive evening wear is yet another nod to Chanel, with the Spring runway riddled with gorgeous silky separates in beige, ivory and black, almost romantic with a modern twist, cool yet soft.
Blazy also had a brand new take on Chanel’s classic signature two tone flat, making them ultra soft and, as he says, inspired by a chocolate praline. That alone makes me want to stock up on a pair, just to have them and archive for my daughter when she (hopefully) grows to appreciate a (then) vintage Chanel collection.
The tweed suit was reimagined in frayed and fringed versions, in cosy and warm looking blanket textures, apparently inspired by another one of Chanel’s lovers- the Duke of Westminster. He used to wear his clothes, and they looked worn, which was the height of chic and ultimate inspiration for Chanel, as she once admitted.
Blazy commented on the theme of the show and said that “We all look at the same sky. We all see the stars. There is something universal. It should also be beautiful and enjoyable, and this is what we have to propose also in fashion.” I’m not crying, you are crying.
Every single piece, through to the final outfit, a sweeping jersey ball skirt exploding with flowers and worn with a silk T-shirt, seems wearable in the coolest of ways. Every piece tells a story, and suits a lifestyle that feels aspirations, achievable and yet oddly accessible.
Even the double CC logos were hugely downsized - hello slightly quieter luxury and not the crazy logo-mania we have been seeing on everything Chanel these last few years. There was a new emphasis on the incredible craftsmanship for which the metiers d’art is known.
"I like the idea of giving women a choice of how they wear Chanel," says the new creative director.
Celebrities at the show included Nicole Kidman with her daughters Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, Margot Robbie, Penelope Cruz, Pedro Pascal and Ayo Edebiri.
All in all, I am feeling a fresh wind coming my way, and am excited about the Season to come. Now all we need is for other luxury fashion houses to swing into the direction of originality and vigour, and make the fashion universe one that is stimulating again.
